Supreme Court Rejects Appeal of Monroe Robbery Conviction

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) — The state Supreme Court declines to hear a Monroe County man’s appeal of his 15-year armed robbery and burglary sentence.

John Daniel Rodgers, 21, was convicted and sentenced two years ago for his role in the Oct. 20, 2008 home invasion robbery of Doyle and Virginia Harris in their Amory home.

He appealed the conviction arguing he should have been able to present expert testimony that slight brain damage at birth caused him to be susceptible to trying to please other people.

The state Court of Appeals rejected that argument and the Supreme Court has declined to review the case.

Rodgers drove three high school friends to the Harris’ home and waited in the car while they committed the assault. Those three — Jerrorie Gates, Tyrone Gilleylen and Eric Dobbs — pleaded guilty and are serving 25-year prison sentences.

Rodgers is serving his sentence in the Chickasaw County Community Correction Facility.